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Cinco de Mayo festival is canceled

Plans for a Cinco de Mayo festival in Poteau have been canceled.Folks looking for traditional Mexican entertainment that weekend aren't out of luck, however.Heavener Runestone Park will hold its Latin Flair Festival from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 4, according to organizer Mike Kennerson.Poteau Main Street Matters dropped plans for it May 5 celebration because preparations fell behind schedule with the recent departure of executive director Kerri Powers, said new manager Eric Standridge.Standridge said that Poteau's Cultural Festival is still on track for May 3-4, along with the opening of the Smithsonian's “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music” exhibit May 4 in the new Patrick Lynch Public Library, 208 S. McKenna.The Latin Flair event will provide similar festivities on the same weekend, so canceling Cinco de Mayo was a simple decision, Standridge said.Food vendors will serve tacos, quesadillas and other traditional dishes, desserts and drinks.Vendors are donating proceeds to a local cancer victim and to renovations of Sagrado Corazón de Jesus Catholic Church, said Kennerson, who is the Heavener city manager.The entertainment schedule includes:• 5-7 p.m. — Disk jockey Sonido Pachuco of Fort Smith, formerly of Hidalgo, Mexico.• 7-8 p.m. — Tulsa-based folk dancers Danza Santa Maria.• 8-8:30 p.m. — Crowning of the festival queen and princess and giveaway of two children's bicycles.• 8:30-10 p.m. — Sonido Pachuco.